As the first scholars of the 2012 - 13 year arrive at Sauvé
House, I can’t help but reflect on what made the Sauvé experience so unique this past year. Before arriving at the House, I had traveled, lived abroad, made
friends with people from around the world. For most of the Scholars, they had
similar experiences and exposure to the world that they brought to the Sauvé
community. So, what made living and learning during the Sauvé Scholarship such
a unique experience?
Sauvé House and especially the kitchen is an ideal place to
bring people together from the Sauvé community, Montreal and beyond. For me, this
was more apparent than ever when I hosted the Pakistan National Dinner. That
one night represented so much of what I loved about the Sauvé experience. Forty
of my dearest friends and family from different parts of my life in Montreal (and beyond) were
under the same roof. When I took a moment to look around the kitchen during
dinner, I realized that the beauty of Sauvé House is that it brings people
together. They come from Quebec, Montreal, partner organizations, communities,
host families, alumni, McGill, Concordia and mentors among many more.
For the dinner, my mom came from Toronto for the weekend to
meet the people who I had been talking about the whole year. She told stories
of her life growing up in Pakistan and the struggles and challenges of
transitioning and creating a new home in Canada. Not only did I want my
housemates and friends to have a chance to meet the person who influenced me
the most (and taste her cooking) but I also wanted her to know this part of my
life by experiencing a little bit of the joy I felt living with these people.
Sauvé House was a truly special place for me. Unlike any
other environment, it was a place where I explored different parts of my
identity—my Pakistani birth, Canadian upbringing and international experiences
that connected me to my peers. I felt completely at home, more
comfortable with who I am and my varied life experiences in a house full of
people from around the world.
As the 2012 - 13 Sauvé Scholars filter into Montreal, I wish you the greatest, most inspiring year yet. I hope you are able to have moments that make you wonder, get lost in a deep conversation, random dancing in the kitchen, walks, runs or bike rides on the mountain, successful projects and great joy as you live and learn from each other. I hope that you meet new people and bring those you love—your friends and families (if possible) to the house. It will not be perfect. The kitchen will get messy. Winter might be really cold. There will be difficult moments that will make you question as you challenge each other to be better people. But I can say that it will be unlike any other experience in your life. I hope that it will open your mind and heart in ways you didn’t expect and give you memories with your housemates you will never forget. I know it did that for me.
Photos of the Pakistan National Evening
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| Josh, Kyle, Valérie and Charlotte |
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| Simangele with Kate Reed, a host mother to many Scholars |
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| Steph with Maria |
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| All the guests enjoying a delicious meal |
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| Deep in conversation |
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| Charlotte, Maria, Simangele, Steph and Dechen in Pakistani outfits |
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| Beautiful Charlotte dressed up in her Pakistani outfit |
